The Verdict: A playful pony car that needs one more generation of refinement.

Best of all, the Camaro proved calm, relaxed, and surprisingly serene for a pony car. It soaked up the pockmarked tarmac that was launching the Hyundai in multiple directions, crash-through was infrequent, there were fewer shivers up through the steering column, and wind noise was less pronounced. Our sound-level measurements didn't show much difference between these cars, but it's the quality of noise that matters: A lion screaming is sort of nice. Joan Rivers screaming isn't. On freeway slogs, it was the Camaro you wanted to inhabit, and it was always the Camaro that was unintentionally hoofing along at about 20 mph beyond the legal limit—a good sign. Someone at GM sweated this car's ride-and-handling trade-off.

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What it boils down to is this: both cars are very good (weather you want to except that a Korean car can be good or not), and just like I surmised, different rags are going to post different results. It's just that there are those here that are unwilling to except that a Korean car company can produce a worthy competitor in the RWD sport coupe segement.

I full expect to hear complaints about how the match isn't fair because the two cars don't compete with each other and so on and so forth (yeah right).

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i tend to trust road and track first when it comes to performance vehicle reviews, and then C/D. Although I do tend to think C/D is a little off. C/D tends to praise the Accord and 3 series a lot and when i test drove them i was like 'this is not that great'.

i am not sure if i have seen R/T review on the camaro v6 yet. I know both of those magazines praised the cobalt SS which is why i am curious to drive one of those.

i actually am curious to drive the genesis coupe but honestly i would never buy one. for me to buy a two door would require a styling statement and in that regard that is about 15 2 doors i would purchase before a genesis. and secondly i do not trust that the genesis is engineered to the same level of durability as say, a camaro. if i buy a car like this i surely don't want a wet noodle.

and i really thought the genesis interior was forgettable and not at all anything you can't get in about 100 other cars from a styling standpoint.

in fact, i'd really much prefer a GTI than a genesis coupe, if i buy a 2 door non US brand job.

you can praise hyundai for their ability finally be in the room with the players but now they need to work on styling....i.e. their own identity. cripes even nissan has their own look.

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Nissan has always had their own look, and is the only Asian manufacture to have an actual design language.

Also, it may bare resemblance to the G37, but you'd never mistake it for one. I find the Genesis to be much more visually interesting, even if the front could use some work. I still love the G coupe though.

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Nissan has always had their own look, and is the only Asian manufacture to have an actual design language.

Also, it may bare resemblance to the G37, but you'd never mistake it for one. I find the Genesis to be much more visually interesting, even if the front could use some work. I still love the G coupe though.

Gee, I think the G37 looks markedly better than the Hyundai. It actually evokes some emotion, and hints at its 240/60/80 roots. The Hyundai on the other hand looks kind of generic. Not bad, but it's not all that and a bag of chips.

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Only two things really matter in this arena, having the looks - and being able to back them up.

True. They got half right, which is not bad for their first effort. GM should take competition by heart and move a step ahead. Trash talking the competitor is nothing but repeating the mistakes of the 70's when so called Japanese POS boxes were introduced and ignored and now those same POS are eating D3's breakfast, brunch, lunch, linner/dunch and dinner.

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True. They got half right, which is not bad for their first effort. GM should take competition by heart and move a step ahead. Trash talking the competitor is nothing but repeating the mistakes of the 70's when so called Japanese POS boxes were introduced and ignored and now those same POS are eating D3's breakfast, brunch, lunch, linner/dunch and dinner.

I'd call it just shy of half right. Some very real engineering aspects of the Genesis miss the mark as well (with weight distribution being the one that bugs me most). But as you say, not bad for a first attempt.

I would've said 'not trying hard enough'. In this still-constricting market, (not to mention the design doldrums the industry in general has been in for the las 20 years) bold design is going to be more important than ever. The hyundai is already 'dated' in that is looks like a late '90s generic.

>>"But as you say, not bad for a first attempt. The Camaro is just better sorted with a higher degree of finesse. In addition to the stunning looks."<<

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There are certainly two different camps these cars draw from, but there will be those who cross-shop.

The looks are of course subjective, but the Genesis really isn't in the same ballpark. That you think it looks "fine" is a telling comment, IMO.

I see it as looking way too much like a FWD car - with the weight bias problems to match.

I would be willing to bet that version 2.0 will be worlds better, however.

There is two markets. The older market that loves the classic and the V8. Then the new market that is younger and dreams of GTR 4, Skylines and G37.

The younger market is a growing market and they love their cars like their Hot Wheels over done.

The present Camaro will do well but they need to watch the market shift to those who are buying these other cars. Their money is just as good as anyone elses. I hope to see the Future Camaro still has a hint of retro but I would like to see a new clean design. One just as different as the 69 was form the 70.

To grow this market GM needs to look at retaining us the Camaro enthusiast but also appeal to the growing younger market of buyers just as GM is working to apeal to the female buyers today.

The Classic Camaro buyer in 1968 is now driving a Vette, CTS or G8 uinless he has a second car. GM needs to win the buyers they nerver had in from the 80's and 90's that never owned a Camaro and never even wanted one.

This is a tough job but it can be done. The future laws will require smaller and lighter cars. GM can take advantage of that to appeal to this import buyer.

One thing I have noticed with most Asian car buyers is styling is not a strong requirement. Just look at somw of the cars they buy and most are over done or well under done. Lets face it the best styled cars from Japan have been styled in Europe.

...Best Styled Japanese cars. The Miata is a rip off of the Lotus Elan, the Original 240Z is a rip off of the Jag E type in some ways, the original Celica is a loose copy of the (original) Mustang, most of the japanese SUV's are a ripoff of a toilet paper bulk carton, the Sentra is a rip off of the Ion (and both look like utter dog crap)...

Even some of the better Japanese cars of their era are lacking in comparison. Look at a mid 80's 944 nest to a mid 80's 300Zx. The Z car isn't nearly as well done...

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...Best Styled Japanese cars. The Miata is a rip off of the Lotus Elan, the Original 240Z is a rip off of the Jag E type in some ways, the original Celica is a loose copy of the (original) Mustang, most of the japanese SUV's are a ripoff of a toilet paper bulk carton, the Sentra is a rip off of the Ion (and both look like utter dog crap)...

Even some of the better Japanese cars of their era are lacking in comparison. Look at a mid 80's 944 nest to a mid 80's 300Zx. The Z car isn't nearly as well done...

Chris

I wouldn't say "rip off", atleast for the first two, though you can see the inspiration.